In 2014, California added amendments to its law on "Live Animals" in the Retail Food Code related to pet dogs in outdoor dining areas. If a food establishment owner allows it, patrons may bring their pet dogs to an outdoor dining area if requirements are met. Like other states, there must be an outdoor entrance, employees must wash hands if they touch the dogs, dogs must be leashed and under control, pet waste must be properly dealt with, and "food and water provided to pet dogs shall only be in single-use disposable containers." This last provision is interesting because it considers the needs of the canine customers.

Statute Text:

(a) Except as specified in this section, live animals may not be allowed in a food facility.

(b) Live animals may be allowed in any of the following situations if the contamination of food, clean equipment, utensils, linens, and unwrapped single-use articles cannot result:

(1) Edible fish or decorative fish in aquariums, shellfish or crustacea on ice or under refrigeration, and shellfish and crustacea in display tank systems.

(2) Animals intended for consumption if the live animals are kept separate from all food and utensil handling areas, are held in sanitary conditions, are slaughtered in a separate room designed solely for that purpose and separated from other food and utensil handling areas, and maintained in an area that has ventilation separate from food and utensil handling areas.

(3) Dogs under the control of a uniformed law enforcement officer or of uniformed employees of private patrol operators and operators of a private patrol service who are licensed pursuant to Chapter 11.5 (commencing with Section 7580) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code, while those employees are acting within the course and scope of their employment as private patrol persons.

(4) In areas that are not used for food preparation and that are usually open for consumers, such as dining and sales areas, service animals that are controlled by a disabled employee or person, if a health or safety hazard will not result from the presence or activities of the service animal.

(5) Pets in the common dining areas of restricted food service facilities at times other than during meals if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(B) Condiments, equipment, and utensils are stored in enclosed cabinets or removed from the common dining areas when pets are present.

(C) Dining areas including tables, countertops, and similar surfaces are effectively cleaned before the next meal service.

(6) In areas that are not used for food preparation, storage, sales, display, or dining, in which there are caged animals or animals that are similarly restricted, such as in a variety store that sells pets or a tourist park that displays animals.

(c) Those persons and operators described in paragraphs (3) and (4) of subdivision (b) are liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by the dog.

(d) Pet dogs under the control of a person in an outdoor dining area if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) The owner of the food facility elects to allow pet dogs in its outdoor dining area.

(2) A separate outdoor entrance is present where pet dogs enter without going through the food establishment to reach the outdoor dining area and pet dogs are not allowed on chairs, benches, seats, or other fixtures.

(3) The outdoor dining area is not used for food or drink preparation or the storage of utensils. A food employee may refill a beverage glass in the outdoor dining area from a pitcher or other container.

(4) Food and water provided to pet dogs shall only be in single-use disposable containers.

(5) Food employees are prohibited from having direct contact with pet dogs while on duty. A food employee who does have that prohibited direct contact shall wash his or her hands as required by Section 113953.3.

(6) The outdoor dining area is maintained clean. Surfaces that have been contaminated by dog excrement or other bodily fluids shall be cleaned and sanitized.

(7) The pet dog is on a leash or confined in a pet carrier and is under the control of the pet dog owner.

(8) The food facility owner ensures compliance with local ordinances related to sidewalks, public nuisance, and sanitation.

(9) Other control measures approved by the enforcement agency.

(e) Live or dead fish bait may be stored if contamination of food, clean equipment, utensils, linens, and unwrapped single-use articles cannot result.